Rise of Ancient Greece Part 2 The Mycenaeans
The Mycenaeans Originated in central Asia Rapid population increase lead to move into Balkan Peninsula Intermarried with locals (Hellenes) Set up group of kingdoms
Government & Social Classes Center of kingdom = hilltop fortress Surrounded by stone walls SOCIAL CLASSES Nobles lived on estates outside walls Wore armor and drove horsedrawn chariots in wars Slaves/tenants lived in villages on nobles estates
Jobs &Public Works Palaces were both for govt and production artisans: tanned leather, sewed clothes, made jars for wine & olive oil storage, created bronze swords & ox-hide shields
Govt officials collected taxes & kept records of everyones wealth Taxes were pd in wheat, livestock , honey
Invasion & Decline 1400’sBC Mycenaneans conquered Minoans and controlled Aegean 1100 BC internal fighting destroyed hilltop fortresses Invaders from North took over using iron weapons Called Dorians; Greek speaking Lead to 300 yrs “dark age”
DARK AGE NO OVERSEAS TRADE INCREASED POVERTY LOST WRITING SKILLS LOST CRAFTMAKING SKILLS 1,000’S FLED TO ASIA MINOR 750BC= IONIANS INTRODUCE NEW CULTURE= HELLENIC CIVILIZATION (ANCIENT GREECE)